From Death to Life

And you were dead(A) in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,(B) according to the ruler of the power of the air,(C) the spirit(D) now working in the disobedient.[a] We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly(E) desires, carrying out the inclinations(F) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath(G) as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy,(H) because of his great love(I) that he had for us,[b] made us alive(J) with Christ even though we were dead(K) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,(L) so that in the coming ages(M) he might display the immeasurable riches(N) of his grace through his kindness(O) to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace(P) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created(Q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time(R) for us to do.

Unity in Christ

11 So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”(S) which is done in the flesh by human hands.(T) 12 At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,(U) without hope(V) and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood(W) of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one(X) and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, 15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create(Y) in himself one(Z) new man from the two, resulting in peace. 16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body(AA) through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.[c] 17 He came and proclaimed the good news(AB) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.(AC) 18 For through him we both have access(AD) in one Spirit to the Father.(AE) 19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,(AF) with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building, being put together,(AG) grows into a holy temple in the Lord.(AH) 22 In him you are also being built together(AI) for God’s dwelling(AJ) in the Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. 2:2 Lit sons of disobedience
  2. 2:4 Lit love with which he loved us
  3. 2:16 Or death in himself

By Grace Through Faith

And (A)you He made alive, (B)who were dead in trespasses and sins, (C)in which you once walked according to the [a]course of this world, according to (D)the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in (E)the sons of disobedience, (F)among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in (G)the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and (H)were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, (I)who is rich in mercy, because of His (J)great love with which He loved us, (K)even when we were dead in trespasses, (L)made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together (M)in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in (N)His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (O)For by grace you have been saved (P)through faith, and that not of yourselves; (Q)it is the gift of God, not of (R)works, lest anyone should (S)boast. 10 For we are (T)His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Brought Near by His Blood

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called (U)the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Christ Our Peace

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one (V)new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might (W)reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby (X)putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For (Y)through Him we both have access (Z)by one Spirit to the Father.

Christ Our Cornerstone

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been (AA)built (AB)on the foundation of the (AC)apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being (AD)the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into (AE)a holy temple in the Lord, 22 (AF)in whom you also are being built together for a (AG)dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 2:2 Gr. aion, aeon